What is Bacterial Breast Infection?
Mastitis is a breast bacterial infection that affects the mammary glands of cats that have just given birth. It can cause ailments for both the mother and her kittens. The condition is painful for new moms and life-threatening for their kittens, and this is why it is important to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as symptoms develop.
Mastitis is a breast infection that affects a single mammary gland or multiple mammary glands in lactating cats. The infection can come on without any warning and lead to pain, swelling and loss of appetite.
Acute septic mastitis causes the milk to look clear or lumpy. This breast bacterial infection is usually localized in cats, but the condition can lead to an infection in the blood that causes the cat to become ill or septic.
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Symptoms of Bacterial Breast Infection in Cats
Cats suffering from mastitis will show the following symptoms:
- Heat, swelling and pain of the infected glands
- Depression, dehydration and loss of appetite
- Yellow, thick or bloody milk
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Refusal to let kittens nurse from the infected gland
- Ill or dying kittens
Taking your cat to the veterinarian at the first sign of mastitis can lead to early detection and treatment.
Causes of Bacterial Breast Infection in Cats
Mastitis is caused by ailments such as bacteria and abrasions. The bacteria involved usually includes Staphylococci, Streptococci and E. Coli.
The following ailments are causes of mastitis:
- Damage to the nipples due to the kittens constantly nursing
- Bacteria entering the mammary gland due to the abrasions from the paws and teeth of the kittens
- Infected mammary glands becoming gangrenous or developing an abscess
- Bacteria growth after blockages occur in the milk duct
- Another infection spreading through the bloodstream and into the mammary glands
- Caked Breast: a build up of milk inside the breast that causes heat and pain. This condition can lead to mastitis.
Diagnosis of Bacterial Breast Infection in Cats
You should take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as you notice any symptoms of a breast infection such as mastitis. Your veterinarian will give your cat a complete physical exam and ask questions about the symptoms.
Your veterinarian may need to perform the following tests on your cat:
- Bacterial culture and sensitivity of the infected liquid
- Fluid analysis and microscopic examination of the milk or discharge
- Aspirate and cytology of solitary masses-- The veterinarian will insert a needle to remove a sample of material.
- Complete blood count
There is always a possibility that your cat is displaying symptoms of a systemic illness from the infection. If this happens, you veterinarian will need to perform the following additional tests:
- X-Rays of the chest and abdominal area
- Blood cultures
- Urinalysis
- A biochemical profile
There is a possibility your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the infection after a physical examination. Your veterinarian will order additional tests if your cat is not displaying enough clinical signs to make a diagnosis.
Treatment of Bacterial Breast Infection in Cats
The treatment depends on the severity of the infections, but may include the following:
Antibiotics Therapy
Your veterinarian may prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics to your cat until they have received the bacterial culture results. They will prescribe a more appropriate antibiotic once receive the results. Your cat may also be given medication to help manage the pain, and there is a possibility the kittens may need to be given antibiotics.
Emptying The Glands
The veterinarian empties the infected mammary glands by manually expressing them to remove the infected milk. The mammary glands need to be lanced and drained, and there is a chance the veterinarian will need to lance and drain the glands surgically.
Treating Gangrenous Tissue
The necrotic material is removed from the gangrenous tissue.
Possible Additional Treatments
If your cat is systemically ill or septic, your veterinarian may need to administer intravenous fluids for several days. The veterinarian will also treat dehydration if necessary. Glands that are severely or chronically infected may need to be removed altogether.
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Recovery of Bacterial Breast Infection in Cats
Be sure you always administer antibiotics as directed by your veterinarian. You should also schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure the infection is healing. Your veterinarian may suggest applying a warm compress and expressing the gland several times a day. You may also need to reduce food intake to stop the milk production temporarily or permanently. Kittens that are still nursing will need to be given an appropriate replacement using a bottle. If your cat has suffered from mastitis in the past, then she should be prescribed an antibiotic before giving birth to future litters. This is done to prevent the infection from returning.
Bacterial Breast Infection Average Cost
From 400 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
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Top
Bacterial Breast Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Siamese
Fatin
9 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Hi. I think my cat is having mastitis. 1 of the nipple is swollen and on the side of it have has a lump and just found out there’s a new lump on the other side of her other nipple I would like to how much will the treatment cost if i bring to vet? or is there any home treatment which i can treat it myself as i can’t afford to bring it to vet, where i can get an antibiotic that helps? Thank you
May 18, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Fatin may have mastitis, or she may have cancer. Without seeing her, I can't comment on what treatment might be appropriate, and she should be seen by a veterinarian to assess her and determine the best treatment for her. There are no home therapies that I'm aware of, unfortunately. For the cost of a veterinary visit, you'll have a better idea as to what might be going on, and what needs to be done for her.
May 18, 2018
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Unknown( stray)
Hazel
Two Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tired
Hello my kitty has abandoned her kittens today and has been sitting and isolating herself. She had a really swollen nipple and the muscles around it are too. I was wondering if this is normal or a symptom of infection, the kittens are 5 weeks old and have been doing okay with hard food so we’re not too worried About that
April 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
The mammary glands may be sore due to no kittens nursing her or there may be an infection of the glands, if the glands are warm and Hazel has discomfort it is possible that there is mastitis. You should take Hazel for an examination with your Veterinarian so that they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 13, 2018
My cat had kitten a little over 2 weeks ago. Her chest area is a hard square and I have noticed the kittens dont nurse there. Is she drying up there or could it be mastist?
April 26, 2018
Laurie O.
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American Shorthair
Twilah Mae
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Tired,
My Queen has a clogged milk duct, I can't afford the vet nor can I get a credit line through them,what can I do to help her, I don't want to lose her she is my favorite
April 10, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
WIthout seeing Twilah Mae, I'm not sure what to suggest for her. Many veterinarians offer a free first exam that would allow you to have her seen so that you can have some sort of treatment. I hope that she is okay.
April 10, 2018
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Maine Coon
Toody
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Previously Infected Nipple
Popped Breast
Puss In Hole Of Previous Infection Area
Puss In Hole Of Previous Infection
Over-Grooming
My cat is rather young, she's never had kittens or anything like that. Recently we noticed one of her breasts started to bulge and became firm. A few days ago it popped and she bled a little, but then it filled with white puss. now it's just a hole, but still gently leaking, and it smells. she's never had problems like this before, it's only recently. We've noticed she meows a lot and she seems to be licking off all of her fur around her tail and hind legs (not the area of the infected, now popped, breast). we can't exactly afford to bring her to a vet right now, I was just wondering if this is a serious infection problem or if it will heal on its on. She seems rather normal besides the over grooming, I'm assuming she's doing that out of the stress of having a gaping hole under her nipple. She doesn't seem to be in pain or any distress, it's very strange. Well she need to be put down? and is there anything I can do to help her out, because she may be in pain.
March 15, 2018
0 Recommendations
You should visit a Veterinarian regardless of cost, the wound would need to be cleaned and she would require a course of antibiotics at a minimum; in a worse case scenario, surgery may be required and may involve the removal of a gland. If finances are a concern, you should try reaching out to a charity to help with the cost of veterinary care, see link below. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.dogingtonpost.com/need-help-with-vet-bills-or-pet-food-there-are-resources-available/
March 15, 2018
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Bacterial Breast Infection Average Cost
From 400 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
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